The Center for Collaborative Study of Trauma, Health Equity, and Neurobiology

GLOSSARY

Attachment

ATTACHMENT is a key ingredient of healthy Early Child Development.
A deep and emotional bond between people, particularly parent-child, family-friends, romantic partners. 

ATTACHMENT results in feelings of a secure base, a safe haven, emotional closeness, comfort and protection. Separation can cause distress.

Attachment-dad-baby-0001.jpg

Attunement

ATTUNEMENT is being “tuned in” to another person or a group. 

ATTUNEMENT within the parent-child DYAD is created by the CYCLE of a parent SENSING a child’s feelings and needs – and RESPONDING to those needs – matching their rhythm, affect and experience. 

ATTUNEMENT establishes a sense of security within the child and allows the child to self-regulate emotions and develop thinking.
ATTUNEMENT between a pair (a DYAD) is also called CO-REGULATION.